Clouds, the mighty transporters of water, are a beautiful presence above. Morphing and shifting they are never the same from moment to moment. Casting darkness as they steal the sun’s light they set the tone, create a mood. There is a meditative quality to clouds, something primitive and soothing. To me painting clouds creates that same hypnotic feeling, I hope the result echoes the creation.
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This was one of a black bird series I was working on a few years ago. Part of that time period where I was creating paintings in unstable ways and letting them crack, run or erode. I liked the idea of a paintings forming with me just guiding the process. I have completely changed the way I paint a number of times since then but it is interesting to look back.
This is a 6″x6″ painting I did last year. Yet another crow painting!
When I was young I used to get so excited about hunting season. The crisp fall air, camping with my Dad. Now I find myself releasing every fish i catch… I love animals the idea of hunting has lost the magic. I have always loved animals but the way we humans absolutely eat this planet so much worst then hunting. I cherish wildlife and it is truly one of my great joys. This is painting is a few years old but appropriate for the season.
I have been playing around with some atmospheric cloud images. This is a sample of a work in progress.
I have been continuing with some atmospheric water and sky paintings but so far haven’t been too pleased with the results. Sometimes you can feel the magic, sometimes you are alone in a paint spattered room. In the interim I figured I would post some more of my poor sad cow friends.
Since I was a child I have always had an interest in skulls. I used to collect them and prize each skull I came across in my wanderings. At a certain point that sort of behavior becomes a bit “odd”. Luckily all of my interests were odd so it blended seamlessly into the patchwork.
A couple years ago I spent a bit of time painting still life images containing rocks and bones… This particular setup was in a box I lined with aluminum foil. As the title suggests, it is the skull of a peccary… a really interesting little pig like animal found in the desert. The skull is incredibly thick and powerful for such a tiny creature… and the teeth!
Oh wait, I did not!
Do you ever derail your own plans? I have been working on some ideas to move forward with for my next show. These water paintings are not part of that plan and yet I seem committed to them. I don’t know if I am sabotaging myself or just following my artistic spirit…
These are all 18×18″ paintings and I am thinking of bringing 3-5 of them to a finished state. Currently I am just roughing out motion and the gestures, really the heart. I am going to cull it down to my favorites and go from there.
I also plan on showing more “work in progress” if that is interesting to people? I know I like to see other people creating so I will give it a try. Either way spending my time in a filthy shirt with paint on my hands is the way to go!
Another moon related painting. This one had some interesting texture variations in the sky.
The moon always a powerful presence in the sky, night or day. It seemed like a good excuse to post the last few lines from a great song by an amazing songwriter…
Townes Van Zandt – Rake
…
And now the dark air is like fire on my skin
And even the moonlight is blinding
brian sostrom 